Mongla, Mar 13 (V7N) – Police have apprehended Malek Fakir, 45, in Barguna in connection with the attempted rape of a 5-year-old child in Mongla. Fakir was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and brought back to Mongla, according to local authorities. He is the son of the late Shamsu Fakir from Araji Makardhon village in Mongla municipality. Mongla Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Anisur Rahman stated that Fakir will be presented before the court on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the Mecher Shah Road area of Ward No. 1 in Mongla Municipality, where the young girl was playing in front of her maternal uncle's residence. According to OC Rahman, neighbor Md. Malek Fakir lured the child to his house with the promise of chocolate and attempted to rape her. When neighbors responded to the child's cries, Fakir fled the scene.

Following the incident, the child's maternal uncle, Shah Alam Molla, filed a case against Malek Fakir under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Mongla Police Station on Sunday, charging him with attempted rape. After the filing of the case, Fakir went into hiding. Using information technology, police tracked and arrested him in Nolibazar, Dhalua Union No. 7, Barguna District Sadar, on Wednesday afternoon, OC Rahman confirmed.

The arrest comes amid increased scrutiny of child sexual assault cases in Bangladesh. Authorities are emphasizing their commitment to swift and decisive action in such cases.

END/AHS/RH/